When I’ve never been to your website before, and you display a popup subscription box in the first 30 seconds, how does that affect my perception of you?
How about when you make me click a button that says, “No thanks, I don’t want to improve my life,” just to avoid having to enter my email address?
Just because a tactic works doesn’t mean you have to use it.
I know what an email list is. And I know how to find yours if I want to.
The whole idea behind an email list is this: it gives you permission to get back in touch with people who care to hear from you.
Tricking people into joining your list is like forcing them into submission to meet your objectives.
When you make a pitch or ask for help or launch your next project, the people who gave you permission will be far more valuable than those you forced into submission.
Think about that before you employ that heavy-handed tactic you’ve been considering.